Tonganoxie grocer not selling recalled beef

B&J Country Mart owner Jim Gambrill said he contacted Associated Wholesale Grocers, the Tonganoxie store’s distributors, about the recall after he had learned that information was being posted on social media that the store had recalled beef.

B&J then posted a notice from AWG stating that it’s not involved in the Rancho Feeding Corporation fresh beef recall. It goes on to read that “Associated Wholesale Grocers does not source any fresh beef from Rancho Feeding Corporation.”

The United States Department of Agriculture released a recall list that included all Kansas Country Mart stores, among several others. But the USDA website also notes that its recall list “may include retail locations that did not actually receive the recalled product.”

The recall includes more than 8.7 million pounds of beef among nearly 18 beef products.

A USDA official said the recall was widespread because there were so many types of beef products in the recall that could have been processed down into other products.

For instance, Nestle did a voluntary recall of certain Philly steak and cheese Hot Pockets after it determined it had used meat from Rancho in that specific product.

Gambrill said he checked the store’s inventory of those Hot Pockets and they are all good.

The recall scare, though, did affect business. Gambrill said rumors that he was selling unsafe beef might have hindered sales.

“Our business was knocked in the head for three days,” he said. “We get recall notices. We make sure we don’t have any of that product. We’re on top of it.”